ICC Women's T20 WC: IND vs ENG semi called off; India makes maiden final

If the second semifinal between South Africa and reigning champions Australia is also washed out then the Proteas will advance to the summit clash since they topped its group

11:01 AM

India vs England semifinal abandoned, India to make its first final appearance

10:44 AM

The game has been called off.

India reach its maiden T20 World Cup final

10:42 AM

We must have the toss inside the next 30 minutes for a game to happen.

10:06 AM

Sydney weather Live updates: It is still pouring heavily at Sydney cricket ground

Live pictures from Sydney cricket ground does not look good as it is still raining. If India vs England semifianl gets washed out, India will qualify for the final as it finished at top of the points table in Group A. However, to complete a 10-over a side match, the toss must be held by 11:06 am IST, and play must commence by 11:21pm IST.

9:57 AM

SCG curator backs ground as rain threat looms on semis

Sydney Cricket Ground's (SCG) curator is confident that the ground conditions will defeat rain and the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup will take place.

 

His remarks come as heavy rain is predicted for today at Sydney and if it does not relent, both semi-finals are in threat of getting washed out.

 

If the matches are washed out, South Africa and India will progress to the finals, sending England and Australia out of the tournament.

"We have had a really clear week this week, we knew that the rain was coming so we have prepped this one a little early. We are really happy with the wicket itself and the surroundings. The outfield has come up really well," cricket.com.au quoted SCG curator Adam Lewis as saying.

 

"We have had approximately 25-30mm in the past few days, and it had no effect on the outfield. So we are looking really good leading into matches," he added.

 

The SCG showed itself as one of the best draining grounds in the world last month when a 12-over game was played for the BBL final, after record deluges.

 

For the semi-finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, allowance of 30 minutes of extra time has been allocated to each game, and there must also be a minimum of a 30-minute break between matches.

 

India and England will lock horns in the first semi-final while in the second semi-final, South Africa and England will play each other later today.
 

9:54 AM

India women’s team: Road to semifinal

Match 3: India vs New Zealand

 

Yet again, it was Shafali Verma’s brilliant 34-ball 46 followed by a superlative performance from the bowlers that helped the team notch up a four-run thrilling win over New Zealand. India posted a sub-par 133 for eight in this group A match, with Shafali top-scoring and Taniya Bhatia chipping in with a 25-ball 23. It, however, was followed by a disciplined performance by bowlers which restricted New Zealand to 129 for six. India registered its third successive win in the tournament and sealed a last-four spot. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

9:23 AM

India women’s team: Road to semifinal

Match 4: India vs Sri Lanka

 

Shafali Verma’s blistering 34-ball 47 after spinner Radha Yadav's career-best 4/23 helped India register its fourth consecutive victory in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in its last league match. After a wonderful start of her career, Shafali again made the headlines on her swashbuckling knock at the top of the batting order. She smashed seven fours and a six in her brisk knock as India completed its chase of 114 with 32 balls to spare and entered the semifinal with an all-win record.

 

During Sri Lanka’s innings, left-arm spinner Radha tore apart the rival batting line up with a career-best four-wicket haul to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest 113 for nine. The left-arm spinner ran through the Sri Lankan batting line-up, claiming the prized scalp of skipper Chamari Atapattu in the process.

 

Brief scores

 

Sri Lanka: 113/9 in 20 overs (Chamari Atapattu 33; Radha Yadav 4/23)

 

India: 116/3 in 14.4 overs (Shafali Verma 47).

 

9:06 AM

The cut off time for 10-over game is 11:21 am (IST)

To complete a 10 over a side match, the toss must be held by 11:06 am IST, and play must commence by 11:21pm IST.

 

9:03 AM

TOSS DELAYED: It is pouring heavily in Sydney

8:51 AM

WATCH: What Heather Knight said ahead of semifinal clash against India

8:34 AM

Shafali Verma pips Kiwi Suzie Bates for top spot in ICC T20I rankings

Young opener Shafali Verma will go into the semifinals of the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup as the top ranked batter when the Indian team takes on England on Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

 

Shafali's explosive batting at the top of the order saw her score 161 runs in four innings, including knocks of 47 and 46 against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, which helped her become only the second India batter after Mithali Raj to top the Women's T20I batting rankings.

 

The 16-year-old has taken over from New Zealand's Suzie Bates, who had been the top batter since October 2018 after wresting the spot from West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor.

 

Shafali's opening partner Smriti Mandhana has, meanwhile, gone down by two spots and is currently placed at the sixth position. Jemimah Rodrigues has also made a slip of two spots and finds herself at the ninth position in the latest rankings. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
 

8:21 AM

WATCH: India vs England semifinal match preview

8:20 AM

India to progress in final if semis get washed out

India women will advance to the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup if the semi-final clash gets washed out on Thursday.

 

India are scheduled to take on England in the semi-final of the premier tournament. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting that there is a possibility of rain in Sydney on the match-day.

Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, who has won all their four group stage matches, top the Group A and will reach in the final if rain plays spoilsport as there is no reserve day for the semi-finals. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

8:06 AM

Sydney weather updates

(screengrab: www.accuweather.com)

8:04 AM

Shafali has brought happiness, positivity to Team India: Harmanpreet Kaur

Shafali Verma has not only lit up the ICC Women's T20 World Cup with her explosive batting but the "naughty" teenager has also added immense happiness and positivity to the Indian team off the field, feels captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

 

The 16-year-old Verma has scored 161 runs at a stunning strike rate of 161 in Australia, setting the tone for India's four Group A victories with fearless batting despite being in her first global tournament. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Indian Women Cricket team opener Shafali Verma in action during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match against New Zealand, in Melbourne. Photo: PTI

7:56 AM

ICC rejects CA's request for reserve day in semifinals

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down Cricket Australia's request of having a reserve day for the semi-finals of the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup.

 

Thursday will see India take on England in the first semi-final while Australia are slated to play South Africa in the other semi-final later that day. However, with weather threatening to ruin the double-header day, it could be the case where Australia and England fail to make it to the final in case the games are washed out. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

7:19 AM

India women’s team: Road to semifinal

Match 4: India vs Sri Lanka

 

Shafali Verma’s blistering 34-ball 47 after spinner Radha Yadav's career-best 4/23 helped India register its fourth consecutive victory in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in its last league match. After a wonderful start of her career, Shafali again made the headlines on her swashbuckling knock at the top of the batting order. She smashed seven fours and a six in her brisk knock as India completed its chase of 114 with 32 balls to spare and entered the semifinal with an all-win record.

 

During Sri Lanka’s innings, left-arm spinner Radha tore apart the rival batting line up with a career-best four-wicket haul to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest 113 for nine. The left-arm spinner ran through the Sri Lankan batting line-up, claiming the prized scalp of skipper Chamari Atapattu in the process.

 

Brief scores

 

Sri Lanka: 113/9 in 20 overs (Chamari Atapattu 33; Radha Yadav 4/23)

 

India: 116/3 in 14.4 overs (Shafali Verma 47).

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

6:59 AM

ICC Women's T20 WC, IND vs ENG semis: Can India overcome England challenge

The Indian team, who have been undefeated so far in the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup, will face a daunting task against England when they take on 2009 champions in the first semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

 

England have been India's biggest nemesis in T20 World Cups. The Women in Blue lost the 2009 group stage match to England by 10 wickets; did not get a chance to play in 2010 due to different pools but India lost that semi-final against Aussies; lost 2012 group stage against England by 9 wickets; 2014 group stage match by 5 wickets; and the last edition of 2018 was even more hurting for Team India as England defeated them by 8 wickets in the semi-final stage.

 

However, in the recent tri-series before the World Cup, India had managed to defeat England and thus would want to take confidence from that win in today's game. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

India's Poonam Yadav second right, is lifted by a teammate after taking the wicket of Australia's Ellyse Perry during the first game of the Women's T20 Cricket World Cup in Sydney. Photo: AP | PTI